Bellasis Road Chawls
Diorama

This diorama of Bellasis Road Chawls, located in Mumbai Central, was loaned by the Estate Agent and Land Manager of Bombay Municipal Corporation to the Museum in 1954.

The development of the cotton and textile mill industry in Mumbai (Bombay) encouraged large-scale migration to the city. There was a need to create affordable housing for all the workers and different areas in the city were earmarked for developing residential areas. Small apartments known as ‘chawls’ with common facilities and shared verandahs were constructed for housing immigrants.